Apparatus for sharpening/bevelling of ski and snowboard edges incorporating a variable angle adjustment and clamping mechanism

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for the sharpening and/or bevelling of either a ski or snowboard side edge or base edge includes a guide for clamping a file therein and adapted to be held by a hand of a person using the guide and moved lengthwise along an edge portion of a ski or snowboard while in contact with a surface thereof. A variable angle adjustment mechanism establishes an almost unlimited number of selected angular orientations of the guide and the file in a plane transverse to the lengthwise direction when positioned at the side or base edge portion of the ski or snowboard while in contact with the surface thereof. The variable angle adjustment mechanism is integrated with a file clamping mechanism in the guide.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation in part of my co-pendingapplication Ser. No. 09/403,079 effectively filed Apr. 9, 1998, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to improved apparatus for thesharpening and/or bevelling of either a ski or a snowboard side edge orbase edge.

[0003] Apparatus of this nature typically includes a guide adapted to beheld by a hand of a person using the guide and moved lengthwise along anedge portion of a ski or snowboard while in contact with a surfacethereof. Such apparatus also includes a clamping mechanism for clampinga file or the like (e.g. commercially available cutting and polishingimplements such as mill files, diamond stones etc.) in or to the guide.

[0004] Until recently, both ski and snowboard designs incorporated metaledges with conventional 90 degree edge geometry (ski or snowboard baseedge and base create a flat running surface with the side edgeperpendicular to the base edge). Ski and snowboard designs have changeddramatically in the past few years as a result of technological advancesin materials and construction. Ski and snowboard side cut and camber arenow more pronounced, and although the base has remained flat, skis andsnowboards are now manufactured with inherent base edge and side edgebevel angles. As a result, it is now necessary to maintain both baseedge and side edge bevel angles when sharpening and polishing to ensureoptimal ski and snowboard performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides an apparatus for the sharpeningand/or bevelling of either a ski or snowboard side edge or base edge,said apparatus comprising a guide for clamping a file or the liketherein and adapted to be held by a hand of a person using the guide andmoved lengthwise along an edge portion of a ski or snowboard while incontact with a surface thereof and which includes a variable angleadjustment mechanism to establish an almost unlimited number of selectedangular orientations of said guide and the file in a plane transverse tosaid lengthwise direction when positioned at the side or base edgeportion of the ski or snowboard and while in contact with the surfacethereof. This unique apparatus is portable, inexpensive and easy to useand helps to minimize the fatigue and effort required to perform anaccurate and consistent edge sharpening and bevelling job, especially onski and snowboard equipment with inherent base edge and side edge bevelangles as described above.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the variable angleadjustment mechanism includes a wheel rotatably mounted on an eccentrichub and positionable by a person using the guide in any one of avirtually unlimited number of selected positions to rollingly engage thesurface of the ski or snowboard and to establish a selected angularorientation of said guide and the file in a plane transverse to saidlengthwise direction when positioned at the side or base edge portion ofthe ski or snowboard thereby establishing a desired edge geometry orbevel angle. The variable angle adjustment mechanism is preferablyintegrated with a file clamping mechanism as more fully describedhereafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

[0007] In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention:

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the apparatus forsharpening/bevelling of ski or snowboard edges being used to sharpen andbevel the metal side edge of a ski or snowboard using a commerciallyavailable file;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the apparatus showing thevariable angle adjustment and clamping mechanism;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a side elevation view similar to FIG. 2 but illustratingthe internal configuration of the guide;

[0011]FIG. 4 is a further side elevation view of the apparatus showingthe clamping of a file in the guide;

[0012]FIG. 5 is a further side elevation view similar to FIG. 3 but withthe variable angle adjustment and clamping mechanism operating to effectclamping of a file;

[0013]FIG. 6 is an end elevation view of the apparatus positioned forthe sharpening and/or bevelling of a side edge of a ski or snowboard;

[0014]FIG. 7 is an end elevation view similar to FIG. 6 showing internalstructures in phantom and illustrating the ability of the variable angleadjustment and clamping mechanism to establish a side edge bevel angle;

[0015]FIG. 8 is a perspective view from below illustrating the apparatusfor sharpening/bevelling of ski or snowboard edges being used to sharpenand bevel the base edge of a ski or snowboard;

[0016]FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the apparatus and variable adjustmentand clamping mechanism;

[0017]FIG. 10 is a bottom view similar to FIG. 9 but with a set screwclamping a file against the guide through the base edge slot;

[0018]FIG. 11 is an end elevation view of the apparatus positioned forthe sharpening and/or bevelling of a base edge of a ski or snowboard;

[0019]FIG. 12 is an end elevation view similar to FIG. 11 showinginternal structures in phantom and illustrating the ability of thevariable angle adjustment and clamping mechanism to establish a baseedge bevel angle;

[0020]FIG. 13A and B are side and bottom views respectively of the hubcomponent of the variable angle adjustment and clamping mechanism;

[0021]FIG. 14A, B and C are top, side and bottom views respectively ofthe knob component of the variable angle adjustment and clampingmechanism;

[0022]FIG. 15A is a top view of the rotatable wheel component of thevariable angle adjustment and clamping mechanism and 15B is a crosssection view taken along line 15B-15B of FIG. 15A;

[0023]FIG. 16 is a cross section view of the variable angle adjustmentand clamping mechanism taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 2 illustrating thehex head of the bolt positioned in the countersunk hex depressionportion of the knob component with the compression spring relaxed; and

[0024]FIG. 17 is a cross section view of the variable angle adjustmentand clamping mechanism similar to FIG. 16 but with the spring fullycompressed and the hex head portion of the bolt positioned in thecylindrical cavity portion of the knob component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025] Referring now to the drawings there is shown at FIG. 1 anapparatus for the sharpening and/or bevelling of either a ski orsnowboard side edge or base edge. The apparatus comprises a guide 1adapted to be held by the hand and moved lengthwise along a metal edgeportion 2 of a ski or snowboard 3 while in contact with a surfacethereof. The guide 1 includes a variable angle adjustment and clampingmechanism 4, the latter including suitable means for clamping the file 5or the like in the guide 1. Additionally, the variable angle adjustmentand clamping mechanism 4 includes means to angularly orient the guideand the file 5 clamped therein in a plane transverse to said lengthwisedirection when positioned at the side edge portion 2 of the ski orsnowboard to establish a desired side edge geometry or bevel angle. Allof the above-noted features will now be described in some detail.

[0026] The expression “file” includes a variety of cutting/polishingimplements which can be clamped in the guide 1 including rough (panzer)files, smooth (mill) files, x-coarse, coarse, fine and extra finediamond whetstones, deburring stones etc. This allows the guide 1 to beused for a variety of operations including honing, deburring andpolishing as well as rough and smooth filing.

[0027] The guide comprises a body or housing 7, typically of a sturdyplastics material, the rear and top faces 8, 9 of which are smoothlycontoured to facilitate gripping the tool in the hand of the user and toprovide an attractive appearance. As best seen in the end elevationviews of FIGS. 6 and 7, the lower part of the frontal face 10 of thehousing 7 is recessed or stepped inwardly to provide an inverted L-shapewhich is defined in part by a flat face plate 11 and a further wall 12at right angles thereto. The upper portion of housing 7 is provided withan elongated vertical slot 13 therethrough, one wall of which isgenerally co-planar with the face plate 11. A horizontal slot 14 alsoextends through housing 7, the upper wall of the slot being co-planarwith the further wall 12. Slots 13 and 14 are at right angles to oneanother and their purpose is to receive a file 5 in the course of baseedge or side edge preparation as described hereafter.

[0028] The housing portion adjacent slot 13 is provided with a threadedhole 15 through which a set screw 16 extends (FIG. 10). When the setscrew 16 is tightened it is urged toward the opposing wall of the slot13 thus enabling the file 5 to be securely clamped in slot 13 whenrequired. In a similar manner, the transverse slot 14 is provided withan elongated clamp plate 17 parallel to the upper wall of the slot andwhich is co-extensive with slot 14. Clamp plate 17 is provided with adownwardly depending rigid web 18 (FIG. 3) at right angles thereto. Theunderside of clamp plate 17 abuts the end of a lock-nut 19 located in anopening in web 18 and disposed on the threaded end portion of a clampscrew 20 threaded through a brass insert 21 fixedly mounted in housing7. Web 18 also carries two rollers 22, 23 that contact the ski/snowboardsurfaces in use and help serve to angularly orient the guide and providestability when sharpening and/or bevelling the side edge of a ski orsnowboard as described hereafter. These rollers project through faceplate 11 via corresponding slots 22′ and 23′ closely adjacent slot 14which allow freedom of movement of clamp plate 17 and its web 18 to urgeclamp plate 17 toward or away from the opposing wall of slot 14 as theclamp screw 20 is tightened or loosened. Web 18 also serves tonon-rotatably captivate lock-nut 19 thus allowing the clamp plate 17 tobe height-adjustable (actuated upward or downward as required bytightening or loosening the clamp screw 20) so that different filethicknesses can be accommodated in slot 14.

[0029] Reference will now be had to the rollers 22, 23 and variableangle adjustment mechanism 4 used to establish base edge and side edgebevel angles. The rollers 22, 23 are of a hard long wearing materialsuch as a ceramic and each has a cylindrical hole 24 in its centerthrough which a round steel rod 25 extends and acts as a hub. Rollers22, 23 are mounted on and are positioned in slots extending through web18 of the clamp plate 17 such that both protrude an equal amount beyondface plate 11 and in use the peripheral surfaces of both rollers bearagainst the base of a ski or snowboard to stabilize the guide 1.

[0030] The variable angle adjustment and clamping mechanism 4 employs afreely rotatable wheel 26, preferably made of the same ceramic materialas the rollers 22, 23, the outside or periphery of which contacts theski or snowboard base to establish, together with rollers 22, 23, thebevel angle of the guide 1. The diameter of the rotatable wheel 26 isselected in accordance with the dimensions of the guide, especially theselected distance “d” (FIG. 2) between a line extending through thepoints where the rollers 22, 23 can rollingly make contact with a ski orsnowboard surface and the part of the perimeter of wheel 26 which, inuse, rollingly contacts that same surface. The wheel 26 is disposed onthe hub 27 and adjacent to knob 28. A bearing surface 29 on hub 27 (seeFIGS. 13A, 13B, 16 and 17) provides an eccentric offset relative to thecenter of clamp screw 20 and allows the wheel 26 to rotate freelythereon. Compression spring 30 acts to bias the hex head 31 of clampscrew 20 into countersunk depression 32 allowing the entire mechanism 4to control the clamping function. A knob 28 fits over the hub 27 and hasprojections 28′ thereon which fit into corresponding holes 27′ in thehub 27. The two projections 28′ serve 3 purposes. First, they act aslocators to align the knob 28 and hub 27 in the proper position relativeto each other. Second, they prevent the knob and hub from rotating andchanging alignment relative to each other. Third, the male projections28′ on the knob ‘friction fit’ into the corresponding cylindrical holes27′ in the hub (part tolerances are ‘size on size’) creating what may bereferred to as a ‘Mattel’ boss, named after the toy company thatpioneered the use of such closures. This ‘friction fit’ effectivelyovercomes the ability of the compression spring 30 to pry the knob andhub apart. Other means to keep the knob and hub together may be used,including a ‘snap fit’ flange and wedge shaped configuration around theinternal diameters of both components where the parts contact each otherto provide a mechanical locking mechanism; (the plastic flange of onepart is forced to expand by a ‘wedge’ configuration around the diameterof the other part so when the parts are put together they ‘snap’ intoposition to prevent the compression spring from forcing the partsapart.) The knob and hub could also employ the use of commerciallyavailable threaded fasteners or thread-cutting screws to mechanicallyfasten the knob and hub together.

[0031] To effect file clamping, the knob is in the “home” position shownin FIG. 16 wherein the hex head 31 of the clamp screw 20 is located indepression 32. Rotation of the knob 28 causes the clamp screw 20 torotate whereby to cause the clamp plate 17 to clamp a file in the guide.Once the file has been securely clamped, angular adjustment of the guideis effected as described below.

[0032] Angular adjustment of the guide 1 is established followingclamping of the file by first aligning a point on the outside diameterof the knob 28 with indicator 33 (FIGS. 2 and 4) on the face plate 11.The position of the periphery or outside diameter of the wheel 26relative to the face plate 11 of guide 1 can then be adjusted bygrasping and pulling the knob 28 away from housing 7 (a partial outlineof which is seen in FIG. 17), thereby compressing spring 30 and causinghex head 31 to move into cylindrical cavity 34 within the knob 28 (FIG.17) thus allowing the knob 28 together with hub 27 to be rotatedclockwise or counterclockwise relative to the clamp screw 20 until thedesired alignment has been found. As hub 27 is rotated, the position ofthe rotation axis of wheel 26 relative to the face plate 11 of the guidechanges and the distance that the perimeter of wheel 26 projects beyondface plate 11 increases or decreases thus causing the guide to rotatearound the above-noted line defined by the points of contact betweenrollers 22, 23 and the surface of the ski or snowboard, to provide thedesired angular adjustment. The spring 30, following release of knob 28,then acts to bias knob 28 into the “home” position so that the hex head31 of clamp screw 20 enters into countersunk depression 32 (FIG. 16)allowing the entire mechanism 4 to again adjust the clamping action.Turning the knob 28 also turns clamp screw 20 clockwise orcounter-clockwise once a file 5 is clamped in the guide 1 (causing moreor less compression of the file 5 by clamp plate 17 against the opposingwall of slot 17 in the housing of guide 1) and allows for microadjustment between angles without the need to pull the knob outwardlysince the amount of knob rotation needed here is small and flexure ofthe guide housing ensures that the file is securely held at all times.Hence, with the guide 1 in position for use as in FIG. 1 and with thewheel 26 and rollers 22, 23 contacting a surface of the ski or snowboarddescribed hereafter, a desired angular orientation can be achieved toenable the desired edge bevel angle to be created. The freely rotatablewheel 26 and rollers 22, 23 assure smooth and easy movement of theentire guide in the lengthwise direction during use thereby reducinguser fatigue, etc.

[0033] The degree increments obtainable are dependent on the degree ofeccentricity of the bearing surface 29 of hub 27 on which wheel 26 ismounted, outside diameter of the wheel 26, distance “d” between thecontact line defined by rollers 22, 23 and wheel 26, and position of thefile 5 in the guide 1. One embodiment of the invention allows thecountersunk depression 32 to captivate the hex head 31 of clamp screw 20in any one of twelve positions, allowing for six degree side edge angleadjustment (i.e. when the knob is rotated 360 degrees, angle alignmentpositions include 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 degrees).

[0034]FIGS. 8, 10, 11 and 12 illustrate base edge preparation. Here thefile 5 is inserted through slot 13 of the guide 1 and secured by setscrew 16. The variable angle adjustment and clamping mechanism 4including clamp screw 20 are turned so the lower edge portion of clampplate 17 makes contact with edge portion 11′ of face plate 11 to ensurethe mechanism 4 is in the correct “home” position to achieve aconsistent base edge bevel angle. By aligning the correct point on theknob 28 with indicator 33 on the face plate 11, the desired base edgebevel angle “X”, (shown in exaggerated fashion in FIG. 11) can beachieved. Side edge preparation is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7. Inthis case, the file 5 is inserted through slot 14 of guide 1 and securedby clamp plate 17. By aligning the correct point on the knob 28 withindicator 33 on the face plate 11, the desired side edge bevel angle“Y”, (shown in exaggerated fashion in FIG. 6) can be achieved.

[0035] It should be realized that the entire side edge of the ski orsnowboard i.e. both the metal edge and the remaining exposed side edgematerial also referred to as the “edge offset” can be bevelled with theuse of guide 1. To achieve this, the eccentric offset of the wheel 26 ismaximized (see FIG. 7). This provides a relatively large side edge bevelangle “Y” and enables the edge offset material to be cut or bevelledalone or in concert with the metal side edge. A short section of“Pansar” file can be used to advantage here.

[0036] In general, as regards the variable angle adjustment and clampingmechanism 4 and depending on the eccentric offset defined by bearingsurface 29 on the hub 27 and the diameter of the wheel 26, the samewheel 26 position is able to produce two different bevel angles (oneside edge bevel angle and one base edge bevel angle). Also in theillustrated embodiment, the wheel 26 position used to produce a certainside edge bevel angle can produce exactly ⅔ that bevel angle when usedto bevel the base edge, (e.g. the wheel position used to create a 3degree side edge bevel can also be used to create a 2 degree base edgebevel). This is but one illustration of the flexibility and versatilityof the tool.

[0037] A preferred embodiment of the invention has been described by wayof example. Those skilled in the art will realize that variousmodifications and changes may be made while remaining within the spiritand scope of the invention. Hence the invention is not to be limited tothe embodiment as described but, rather, the invention encompasses thefill range of equivalencies as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for the sharpening and/or bevelling ofeither a ski or a snowboard side edge or base edge, said apparatuscomprising a guide adapted to be held by the hand and moved lengthwisealong an edge portion of a ski or snowboard while in contact with asurface thereof, said guide including devices for securing a filethereto such that in use a desired portion of the file may make contactwith the edge portion of the ski or snowboard thus effecting edgesharpening or bevelling, said guide including a guide body having anadjustment mechanism to angularly orient the file in a plane transverseto said lengthwise direction when positioned at the side or base edgeportion of the ski or snowboard to establish a desired edge geometry orbevel angle.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said adjustmentmechanism to angularly orient said file includes a device adapted toengage a surface of the ski or snowboard and adjustably positionable ina selected manner relative to said guide body to establish a selectedangular orientation of said guide and a file secured therein in saidtransverse plane relative to the ski or snowboard.
 3. Apparatusaccording to claim 2 wherein said guide body includes a face portionwhich is positioned adjacent the surface of the ski or snowboard when inuse and said device being adjustably mounted to project outwardly fromsaid face portion by selected distances to achieve said selected angularorientation of said guide.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 whereinsaid device comprises a freely rotatable wheel, a peripheral part ofwhich projects outwardly of the guide face portion to rollingly engagethe ski or snowboard surface when in use.
 5. Apparatus according toclaim 4 wherein said rotatable wheel is mounted on a hub having aneccentrically arranged bearing surface thereon on which said wheel isrotatably mounted, said hub being angularly adjustable so as to causethe position of the rotation axis of said wheel to change to increase ordecrease the distance that the peripheral portion of the wheel projectsoutwardly of said face portion thereby to provide the desired angularorientation of the guide.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein saidguide further includes a spaced pair of rollers adapted to contact thesurface of the ski or snowboard at spaced points of contact during use,said pair of rollers being spaced a selected distance from said wheel sothat when the position of the rotation axis of said wheel is changedduring use when in contact with said surface said guide rotates around aline defined by said spaced contact points of said rollers to providethe desired angular orientation of the guide.
 7. Apparatus according toclaim 6 including a clamp for securing the file in said guide duringuse.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 including a rotatable mechanismfor releasing or tightening said clamp.
 9. Apparatus according to claim8 including a structure for rotating said hub to effect the angularadjustment thereof, said structure also being operably connectable tosaid rotatable mechanism for releasing or tightening said clamp suchthat said hub can be rotated either independently of or simultaneouslywith said rotatable mechanism.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9wherein said rotatable mechanism comprises a clamping screw operativelyconnected to said clamp.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 10 whereinsaid structure for rotating said hub includes a knob connected forrotation with the hub, said clamping screw having a head portiondisposed within the hub-knob combination, the latter being free to moveaxially relative to the clamping screw between first and secondpositions so as to engage or disengage the screw head portion therefrom,whereby in the first position said hub is rotatable together with saidclamp screw and in the second position said hub can be rotatedindependently of said clamp screw.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11further including a spring for biasing said screw head relative to thehub-knob combination into the first position, and therein a manual forceapplied to said knob serves to compress said spring and move thehub-knob combination into said second position whereby to allow said hubto be rotated independently of said clamp screw.